1 Timothy 3:16 - An Understandable Version (2005 edition)

¹⁶ And without question the revealed secret of godly living is great. [It is this]: He [i.e., Christ, or God], who appeared in a fleshly body [was] vindicated [of false charges] by the Holy Spirit; [He was] seen by angels, was preached among the nations, was believed in throughout the world [and finally] was taken up into glory [i.e., heaven].

More versions

King James Version (Oxford) 1769

¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness: God was manifest in the flesh, justified in the Spirit, seen of angels, preached unto the Gentiles, believed on in the world, received up into glory.

Amplified Bible - Classic Edition

¹⁶ And great and important and weighty, we confess, is the hidden truth (the mystic secret) of godliness. He [God] was made visible in human flesh, justified and vindicated in the [Holy] Spirit, was seen by angels, preached among the nations, believed on in the world, [and] taken up in glory.

American Standard Version (1901)

¹⁶ And without controversy great is the mystery of godliness; He who was manifested in the flesh, Justified in the spirit, Seen of angels, Preached among the nations, Believed on in the world, Received up in glory.

Common English Bible

¹⁶ Without question, the mystery of godliness is great: he was revealed as a human, declared righteous by the Spirit, seen by angels, preached throughout the nations, believed in around the world, and taken up in glory.

Catholic Public Domain Version

¹⁶ And it is clearly great, this mystery of piety, which was manifested in the flesh, which was justified in the Spirit, which has appeared to Angels, which has been preached to the Gentiles, which is believed in the world, which has been taken up in glory.

1 Timothy 3:16 Cross References

Matthew 1:23

“Look, the virgin will become pregnant and have a son, and they will name Him Immanuel,” which means “God with us.”

Matthew 13:11

He replied, “You disciples are being given an understanding of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven, but the crowds of people are not.

Matthew 28:2

Now there had been a violent earthquake, for an angel of the Lord had descended from heaven and, [having] come to roll away the stone, was [now] sitting on it.

Matthew 3:16

After Jesus was immersed [by John], He came up out of the water and heaven was opened up before Him and He saw the Holy Spirit from God descending, as a dove, and landing upon Him.

Matthew 4:11

Then the devil left Him and angels came and tended to His needs [i.e., food, water, etc.].

Mark 1:13

He spent forty days in this desert where He was put to the test by Satan. He was with wild animals, and angels ministered to His needs [while there].

Mark 16:19

So then, after the Lord Jesus had spoken to them He was taken up to heaven, where He sat down at the right side of God.

Mark 16:5

As they were entering the cave, they were amazed when they saw a young man, dressed in a white robe, sitting at the right side of the entrance.

Luke 2:32

[to be] a light for revealing [God’s way of salvation] to the [unconverted] Gentiles, and a [source of] glory to your people, the Israelites.”

Luke 20:44

Since David called Him [i.e., Jesus] Lord, how could He be his son?”

Luke 22:43

Now an angel from heaven appeared to Him and strengthened Him. [See Matt. 4:11].

Luke 24:4

And it happened, while they wondered about the situation, suddenly two men in brilliant clothing [were seen] standing beside them.

Luke 24:51

And it happened, as He was blessing them, that He left them and was taken up to heaven.

John 1:14

[Eventually] this Word became a human being and lived among us [Note: The word “lived” here refers to pitching a temporary tent]. (And we saw His splendor; such splendor as belongs to the Father’s only Son), full of God’s favor and truth.

John 13:3

Jesus, who knew that the Father had given Him complete authority, [also] knew that He had come from God and was [about] to return to God.

John 15:26

And you will give testimony about me [also], because you men have been with me from the beginning [of my ministry].”

John 16:28

I came from the Father into this world and now I am leaving the world and returning to the Father.”

John 17:5

And now, Father, honor me in your presence with the honor I had with you before the world was [created].

John 20:12

and there she saw two angels [dressed] in white [clothing] sitting where Jesus’ body had lain, one at His head and one at His feet.

John 6:62

Then what if you were to see the Son of man going up [i.e., to heaven] where He was before?

Acts 1:19

This incident became known to everyone who lived in Jerusalem so that the [burial] field purchased with the reward money became known, in their own [i.e., the Jewish] language, as “Akeldama” [an Aramaic word], which means “Field of Blood.”)

Acts 10:34

Then Peter began to speak. He said, “I perceive that God truly does not show favoritism toward anyone,

Acts 14:27

And when they arrived [in Antioch of Syria], they gathered the church together and reported everything that God had done through them and how He had opened a door [of opportunity] for the [unconverted] Gentiles to [enter] the faith.

Acts 20:28

So, pay close attention to your [own] lives, and to all [members] of the flock [i.e., the congregation] of which the Holy Spirit has made you overseers [i.e., elders, shepherds or pastors]. Provide [spiritual] food for the church of the Lord which He purchased by [shedding] His own blood.

Romans 10:12

For there is no distinction [with God] between Jews and Greeks [i.e., Gentiles], for all have the same Lord, who is generous to all who appeal to Him [for help].

Romans 10:18

But I ask, “Did not they [i.e., the Jews] hear [the message]?” Certainly they did! [Psa. 19:4 says], “The sound [of their preaching] went out into all the world, and their message reached to the ends of the earth.”

Romans 16:25

– See Verse 27

Romans 16:26

– See Verse 27

Romans 3:4

But let God be truthful, [even if] everyone [else] is a liar. For it is written [Psa. 51:4], “[God], you should be proven right when you speak, and win [your case] when put on trial.”

Romans 8:3

For what the law was not able to do [for mankind], since it was [too] weak [to deliver them from condemnation] because fleshly people [were unable to obey it perfectly], God condemned sin in the flesh [i.e., sin was declared evil and its power over man broken]. God did this by sending His own Son in a body like sinful man’s, and to destroy sin,

Romans 9:5

They are descended from our forefathers; they are the ones from whom Christ was born physically. He is God over everything [Note: Or this may be “God is over everything”] and should be praised forever! May it be so.

1 Corinthians 15:47

The first man [i.e., Adam] came from the dust of the ground [See Gen. 2:7]; the second man [i.e., Christ] came from heaven.

1 Corinthians 2:7

But we [apostles] speak God’s secret wisdom, which has been hidden [through the ages], which God predetermined for our honor before time began.

2 Corinthians 1:19

For the Son of God, Jesus Christ, who was proclaimed among you by me, [and] Silvanus [i.e., the same as Silas] and Timothy, was not “yes” and “no” [i.e., both our message and Jesus Himself were not contradictory], but with Him, it was “yes” [i.e., Jesus consistently spoke the truth].

Galatians 2:8

For God assigned Peter to be an apostle to the circumcised ones [i.e., Jews], and me to be an apostle to the Gentiles.

Galatians 4:4

But, when [God’s] timing fully arrived, He sent His Son, born to a woman [i.e., Mary], born during [the time when] the Law [of Moses was still in effect],

Ephesians 1:9

in doing what He intended through Christ, to make known to us His secret plan, according to what pleased Him.

Ephesians 6:19

And [also pray] for me to be given boldness of speech in opening my mouth to make known the secret plan of the Gospel,

Colossians 1:23

[This will happen] if you continue in the faith [Note: This means either “continue to observe God’s teaching” or, “continue to believe”], firmly grounded and established, and not moved away from the hope offered by the Gospel message, which you have heard and which was preached to people throughout the entire created world under heaven. I, Paul, was made a minister of this Gospel.

Colossians 1:27

He was pleased to make known to these people the wealth of His splendor among the Gentiles; this hidden secret, which is Christ among you, [is] the hope of being honored [i.e., in heaven].

Colossians 1:6

came to you. This Gospel is [now] also producing fruit all over the world [i.e., throughout the Roman Empire] and growing [in its influence], just as it is doing among you people also, since the day you [first] heard and understood God’s unearned favor in [all its] truth.

Colossians 2:2

[I do this] so that their hearts will be encouraged [while] being united in [mutual] love, [and] so that they will have the wealth of a fully assured understanding, in order to fully know about God’s hidden secret, [which is] Christ.

2 Thessalonians 1:10

On that day Jesus will return to be honored by His saints [i.e., God’s holy people] and to be marveled at [i.e., in reverence] by all those who had believed [in Him]. [This will happen] because you have believed our testimony to you [about Christ].

2 Thessalonians 2:7

For this mysterious lawlessness is already at work [or, “this lawlessness is already secretly at work”]; but the one who is holding it back [will continue to do so] until he is removed.

1 Timothy 3:9

They should keep holding on to the deep truths of the faith with a clear conscience.

Hebrews 1:3

This Son expresses the radiance of God’s splendor and represents His very Being, and He sustains everything by His powerful word. After He had provided cleansing for [people’s] sins, He sat down at the right side of the Majesty [i.e., God] on high [i.e., in heaven].

Hebrews 12:2

We should fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and completer of the [or, “our”] faith. [Note: Jesus is here pictured as the one who completely fulfills the life of faith, or who provides us with the ability to live such a life]. [And] because He could look forward to joy, He endured the cross, despising its shame, and has sat down at the right side of God’s throne.

Hebrews 7:7

Without question [then], the lesser [of these two persons] is blessed by the greater one.

Hebrews 8:1

Now this is the main point [or, the summary] of what we are saying: We have such a head priest [i.e., as described in chapter 7] who sat down at the right side of the throne of the Majesty [i.e., God] in heaven.

1 Peter 1:12

It was revealed to these prophets that you people, not they, were the ones being ministered to in the matters now being announced to you by those who preached the Gospel to you by the Holy Spirit, who was sent from heaven. [This message contained] things which angels would like to look into.

1 Peter 1:20

For Christ was previously known [by God, even] before the world was created, yet was not fully revealed for your benefit until [these] final times.

1 Peter 1:21

[It is] through Christ, whom God raised from the dead and honored, that you people have become believers in God, so that your faith and hope could rest in God.

1 Peter 3:18

For Christ suffered once for people’s sins [to be forgiven]. [It was the case of] a righteous Man suffering for unrighteous people, so that He could bring you [or, “us”] to God [for salvation]. [Though] He [i.e., Jesus] was put to death physically, He was brought back to life by the Holy Spirit [Note: Some translations say “in spirit”].

1 Peter 3:22

He has [now] gone to heaven, and is [seated] at the right side of God, where the angels and [other] authorities and powers have been subjected to Him.

1 John 1:2

Truly, this “Life” was made known to us and we have [actually] seen it [i.e., Him], and so we testify and proclaim to you [that He is] “the Eternal Life,” who was with the Father and was made known to us [apostles].

1 John 3:5

But, you [should] know that Christ appeared [on earth] to take away [our] sins, and that there is no sin in His life [See II Cor. 5:21].

1 John 3:8

[But] the person who continues to live a sinful life belongs to the devil, because the devil has continued to sin since the beginning [See Gen. 3]. For this is the reason that the Son of God came [into the world]; it was to destroy the works [i.e., the influence of] the devil [in people’s lives].

Revelation 17:5

And on her forehead was written a mysterious [name], “The great Babylon, the mother of the prostitutes and the disgusting things of the earth.”

Revelation 17:7

Then the angel [See verse 1] said to me, “Why are you so amazed? I will explain to you the secret [meaning] of the woman and the beast with seven heads and ten horns that she is riding on.

Revelation 7:9

After seeing [all] these things, I looked and there [I saw] a huge crowd, which no one could count, from every nation, and tribe, and race, and language group, standing in front of the throne [of God] and in front of the Lamb. They were dressed in white robes and had palm tree branches in their hands.